Local advocate files petition saying rise in petrol prices is against Article 9 of the constitution.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a notice to Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to submit its reply on a petition filed against the increase in petrol prices.

A single member bench of Justice Rayaz Ahmad Khan heard the petition filed by a local advocate.

During the hearing, the petitioner said that the increase in prices of petroleum products is directly affecting the lower-class.

He maintained that the rise in petrol prices is also against the Article 9 of the Constitution.

The court asked Ogra to submit a reply and adjourned the hearing.

The prices of three major petroleum products were increased by up to five per cent for this month.

Petroleum product prices are revised monthly on the basis of international oil prices. Oil refineries and marketing companies change prices of all petroleum products, except kerosene oil, under controlled deregulation. The Ogra works as a facilitator under the deregulated oil pricing mechanism and notifies new prices.

The government increased prices of major petroleum products on Saturday in the wake of a rise in global crude prices and depreciation of rupee.